The need for faith

The salient difference between the laborers hired for the vineyard in the first hour and all the rest was that the first had no faith: they had a contract, and agreed for a specific sum, one penny. They were disappointed. But all the others were simply told that they would receive what was right. They went forth with no contract, but only trust in the goodness of the landowner. And they were rewarded with the works of Another. For Christian life requires faith in the works of Christ for us, and gladly receives gifts which he won for us. Sermon for Septuagesima.